Gasparilla 2006 - Distance Classic - 5K

I DID IT!! I ran like a pirate!! I ran the whole way!! I really really did!! And they give you a medal for finishing!!

I took only a few walking steps twice to slow down to drink water at the two water tables (and they were crowded so you had to slow down)….That was it. Other than that I ran the whole way!! I had a chip time of 41:54 and a pace of 13:25.7. (According to the results posted to the web site!!) I know from my own watch that my first mile was under 12 minutes which was better than all the training runs. So I must have really slowed up after that but I ran the whole way!! When the pictures come in I will post them. And we don’t have to discuss my placing in either the women or the over all or the age group but there were more women then men and there were 6419 total runners!!

I wasn’t going for a time and I wasn’t going to run the whole way I was going to have fun and do it and I did better than I had hoped!! AND had a lot of fun too!!!

To top it all off, just when I got back into my truck a friend called and said she had an extra ticket to the Storm game this evening!! I said I had to check on some stuff, but then called back and told her I was in. THEY WON!! And they beat the only undefeated team in the AFL. It was a very exciting game and a lot of fun.

Needless to say I am wiped out!! I’m going to bed early tonight and I am going to read. Then tomorrow I am going to putt around the house most of the day and relax!! (Is it legal to drug the kitties so they will sleep in….it’s not….darn!)

AAAARRRGGGG!!!!! (<----Pirate for RUN!!)

My Running Feets!!!

I went to the Health and Fitness expo today to pick up my Race Package for the 5-k tomorrow. There are free samples, my number, coupons etc in the bag. How ever they made me walk to the very back of the expo to pick up my stuff. Aren't they smart all those booths of stuff to buy and people to hand you free stuff.

Then in front corner of the room that I walked passed as I was leaving, there it was, a booth of people selling Nikes. Big deal people selling Nikes, but they had those treadmills with the camera behind them to watch your feets!!! I HAD TO DO IT!! I stand slightly pigeon toed and have very flat feet but I don't tend to over pronate (roll my ankles in) like most flat-footed pidgin-toed people (well no one is perfect). Soooo I waited my turn and put on the shoes they gave me (so they have everyone in the same shoes). What did I find out? That I don’t pronate like most people with flat feet, I have a good heel strike, I run up the outside of my feet like I should, and my toes come up off the ground like they should. Basically I run correctly!! That was good news, he said he would never have guessed from my stride that my feet were flat and my big toes were best friends. I should still wear the shoes with more support in the arches. He confirmed that it is my flat feet that make my knees hurt when the arches in my shoes are bad.

The coolest part was watching my feet do their thing with out messing them up by looking down or sideways to try to watch them. On Monday I went to MOSI to the BODIES exhibit. I saw all the bones in the feet, ankles, and legs and the muscles that move them. Then to watch my very own two little feets running on the screen moving like they should was really cool!! I imagined the bones in my feet pulling and pushing the ligaments hanging on and my bones allowing my ankle to stay straight. Very interesting. I would recommend it!!

I got runner feets!!

Happy Presidents Day!!

Distance: 3 miles         Time: ??:??         FOGGY  8:45 am
Temperature: 56 °F        Humidity: 96%       Pressure: 30.26 inches

3 M I L E S ! ! ! Ok still some walking spots but only .3 miles and not all at once!! I can now do Gasparilla 5k this weekend. Good thing too since I have already paid to take part. It should be fun, I am really starting to look forward to it. I think tomorrow night I am going to go look at the race route, and I will try to just run 1.5 tomorrow with out stopping and a short mile on Friday to stay loose.

My calf didn't tighten up at all so I hope my shin doesn't start to ache like after the 2.75 run. I also have not been getting the cramps in my calf at night so maybe I am finally getting in better shape.

I ran near my home today. That way I only knew the half way point much like on race day. I won't have tenth mile marks like in the park. So I had to push to make it just a little farther before a break. I think it worked. I had a little bit of an idea of how far things were and I will for the race but I really only knew the route and the turn-around. I like to map the routes using "America's Running Routes" I don't save mine but I have my own list. I know it is about around the cemeteries near my house. That is a quiet run. (hehehe)

The park is my favorite but I like the streets too. Most people are nice and smile as you pass. I try to say "morning" as I pass and most smile and say it back. The neighborhoods near my home are older and near downtown so there are many different people on the streets. The only rude people were some tourists that had all of their luggage on the sidewalk waiting for the city bus and between them and their luggage they took up the whole sidewalk and they didn't even make an attempt to give me a path. I had to drop off onto the busy street. I didn't say morning to them. I usually like the tourists but these people were just rude. Most of the people on the street in the morning are part of the "work force" walking to work or waiting for the bus. They all look different and you can tell they all have different backgrounds and stories. All the shops are opening too getting ready for business for the day. I would be one of them most of the time driving to work or already there by this time but I happen to get Presidents day off, so it’s nice to see what happens when I’m not rushing to work myself.

I can run miles and miles :)

Active People Watching

Distance: 2 miles         Time: 28:44         Clear  12:30 pm
Temperature: 75 °F        Humidity: 50%       Pressure: 30.2 inches

I think that someone has tied lead weights to my ankles this week. I ran today instead of yesterday because I also have Monday off for President’s Day so I can have a good long run on Monday.

So my park that I run in is always fun because on weekend days like today I can kind of people watch while I run. There are some pavilions that always have some activities going on.

Parents dropping off children to birthday parties and handing them gifts before they run off and telling them not to forget to say thank you for being invited.

Two guys starting a grill and hanging balloons while asking on the phone "where everybody at?"

The guy who runs around the outside of the park backwards...yes backwards...this is the second time I have seen him.

People who walk to work who must live nearby walk through the park in restaurant uniforms.

The guys playing basketball with little kids, and the cheering that goes on when one of the kids scores.

There are older people walking around the path together sitting on the benches that are along the path for a rest. (There is a senior center at one end of the park)

There is a shuffle board court next to the senior center too, but I have yet to ever see anyone on it. I figure that even they think that shuffle board is dumb!!

Little kids playing, riding bikes with training wheels, rolling down the hill.

A group of guys playing soccer…sort of, because there really isn’t a big enough area but they kick the ball around and try not to run into little kids.

And finally the guy who plays racquetball in the courts that is often there and is way too excited for a guy playing for free in a park. He wears the goggles with the thick elastic strap, a head band, and wrist bands and swears like a sailor about every play.

Running...and watching.

Introducing.....

A friend of mine, magnetbabe, has declared February 15th Blog about your Cats day. So....

LOKI
He is an acquisition from a 4th of July party. And I was the sober one!!






FREYA
I got Freya because Loki was a lone kitten and needed a friend...(Or I was going to lose my sanity) She was from a litter from a friends cat that "got out" before getting fixed.




SAGA
This baby girl was pathetic and starving on the street corner and my heart just melted for her. (and when I say pathetic she was P A T H E T I C ! !) She is now Happy and Healthy and Loki's Pride and Joy.




So those are my Kitten Mittens!! And while I get no sleep on cold nights because they are all on top of me I love every minute of it.

Going for the gold

Distance: 1 mile          Time: 12:15:01      Partly Cloudy  4:30 pm
Temperature: 45 °F        Humidity: 64%       Pressure: 30.13 inches

Way tooooooo cold. I did only a mile because I was very uncomfortable. If this is the weather on race day I may be walking more than I run. Or maybe I shouldn't wear the jacket and just freeze at the beginning. I warmed up after about 3/4 miles and could of taken off the jacket. I know that people up north run in much worse than this but I am not used to how to dress or to prepare. Lucky for me I only have a few days a year to deal with it so the odds are I will be just fine on the 25th.

I haven't done the Yoga yet. I also ran hungry....never a good idea. I can't run right after I eat but I shouldn't be hungry either. So I ate. I will do it after the longer run on Tuesday.

Sometimes it's fun during the Olympics to know that I am not an athlete like them but I can do something that more than 50% of the population cannot do. I can run over a mile. So I still do what we all did as kids. When I finished that mile today....I took the gold. In my own little race.

Crusade update: Today I registered for two of the three events coming up. Now the money is spent and I am committed. I was glad to see when I looked up the Miles for Moffit 1 mile fun run/walk that it is especially for walking/running in memory or in support of some one who has cancer. That is exactly what I wanted!!

Running for my own gold

Yoga Stretch Theory

Distance: 2.75 miles      Time: 38:05         Partly Cloudy  7:30 pm
Temperature: 55 °F        Humidity: 64%       Pressure: 30.13 inches

A bit chilly last night but I did very well. I finished the 2.75 strong and while my right leg was tight I was able to run to 1.5 miles (21:01 min split) before I took a .1 mile walk. I don't think I needed it but I wanted it. I will think about waiting till I really need it tomorrow when I do the shorter run, and again when I do this distance on Tuesday.

I started something new last night. I picked up a video of Yoga for flexibility. I really hope that helps the night cramps in my legs and the tightness in my calves and arches especially on the right side. I figure on Friday and Sunday I have time after the run usually so I will do that video at least both of those times as soon as I am done running so that I am still warm. It felt very good last night after the run.

For the first time I feel good about being prepared in time for the run on February 25th. I know that is because I have had more time in the last two weeks to make my scheduled runs. I look forward to next Friday when the first 3 mile run is scheduled.

Running to make the distance.

I need gills!!

Distance: 2.5 miles         Time: 34:19            Cloudy/Foggy  4:30 pm
Temperature: 55 °F        Humidity: 83%       Pressure: 30.13 inches

First I notice that the local pressure is exactly the same as on Sunday but the temp is down and the humidity is WAY WAY UP!! It is worse in the summer but with the cold it was a weird sticky mess, making it feel more like swimming, I can not breath like a fish!!

Next, I noticed that the time is greater but I also realized on the trail that Sunday's run was really more like 2.3 miles so I will have to correct that. Most importantly I walked less this time and ran longer legs. My right calf still got tight but did not completly cramp up!! The sections I ran were each a mile with a .1 mile walk then the next mile and a .1 mile walk.

Friday's goal will be 2.75 miles and to make each leg between walks 1.25 - 1.5 miles. I am feeling confidant that I will be able to run like a pirate on the 25th. I am not worried about having to walk on that day because I know that I could mess up my first time and end up going out too fast with a group and needing to walk but I want to walk a minimum.

I also counted the steps during the 2 .1 mi walks it's ~190 steps/.1 mi that is a good enough estimate for the race if I need too walk I can count steps.

Crusade update: My friend's sister is soooo excited to do the Miles for Moffitt she has recruited more people (as have I) and she wants to put together something fun like t-shirts and stuff with his name on them!! I think it will be FANTASTIC!!

I'm a Runner!!

Crusade

Distance: 2.5 miles       Time: 28:53 min     Sunny 12:45 pm
Temperature: 61 °F        Humidity: 48%       Pressure: 30.13 inches

A week ago my friend with leukemia passed away. As my running buddy he kept me going. Now as the drive behind my new crusade he is still doing the same. When I started this blog I didn’t know what I was looking for. Why share my meager progress with total strangers. Now I think I know. Soon I will post a blog about my friend and place the “I fight cancer” Ribbon on my page. The post will fulfill one of several suggested ideas for a requirement to post the ribbon on a web or blog page, several of which I will end up doing before my crusade is finished. For now I run.

I finished the 2.5 miles today and it was beautiful out. I miss him running with me most on days like this. I had to walk a few times due to some calf cramping. I have also had cramps in my leg at night. I hope when the stress has passed and I can run on more of a schedule some this will all pass too.

I stated that the training to work up to 5k was for a run here in Feb. That will still be the first run. There is also a run on March 4th to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and one on April 8th to benefit Moffitt Cancer Research Center where my friend was treated. The first thing I can do on crusade is pay the money to take part in these events where the proceeds go to these charities and that also encourage healthy activity and thus reduce the risk of cancer in people.

I am honored that my friend’s mother and youngest sister, who will be in town in April, and some of his closest friends would like to take part in the Miles for Moffitt run with me. I hope we make him proud. And I hope that better treatments and cures are found soon.

Running to keep running

This too shall pass

I ran today after I went to visit with my friend in the hospital. His Doctors came today to talk with his Mother. I was there when it was decided that all treatments would stop except the pain meds to make him comfortable. I have to admit a little peice of me is holding out for a miracle. Now the longest couple of days are to come.

Today my run wasn't as helpful in clearing my head as yesterday but his drive to workout and run with me is what will keep me running right now. When he first got sick the doctor told him not to raise his blood pressure too much by lifting or running so I would go for my run for the day and then go to his apartment and we would go for a walk. I miss him on the trail already but I had always thought it was temporary. This too shall pass. Now I know that this is not the way it will come pass and I will be running alone for a little while.

Someday I may find another friend to run with. Maybe I should get a dog. They are always in the mood to run, and they don't take as much work to coordinate a schedule.

running buddies are forever

Run while you can

Distance: 2.25 miles      Time: ~30 min       Bright and Sunny 10:30 am
Temperature: 62 °F        Humidity: 55%       Pressure: 30.42 inches
Mile Split: 13:09:57

Today's run went well. Better than I thought it would for sure. I ran so I wouldn't get any farther behind but I didn't want to. It turned out to be a good run and I feel much better now that I have finished.

I was kind of a mess this morning because I am worried about a friend who is gravely sick. He is one of my best friends. The doctors give him only days to live. I woke up not wanting to do anything. I know I have a million things to do in my life, none of which mean anything in the long run, but the kitties are unhappy if I don't change the litter.

We used to run and workout together, and since he got sick we have still talked of plans to work him back up to where he was. I know that he wouldn't want me to miss the run I am planning and if I skip my runs I will never increase my distance to 5k in time. So I ran. I feel much better and I have a better outlook for the day. Now I don't feel like quite the mess I was this morning.

There is another local run in March that benefits the leukemia and lymphoma society. I have decided to run in that one too. Maybe the money that is raised will help some other person not to go through what my friend is going through.

Run like there is no tomorrow

One foot in front of the other

Distance: 1.75 miles      Time: 21:38:40      Partly Cloudy  11:30 am
Temperature: 79 °F         Humidity: 52%      Pressure: 30.24 inches

Well I did run today and that makes this new schedule already better than the last. Now to stick to it!! It was a beautiful day out almost a little hot. I Love the "winter" on the Gulf Coast of Florida!! However....come July I will be a whiny bitch about the same weather.

Today was a struggle but I not only upped the mileage but did it soon after another increase so once I have started 3 days a week again and I have caught up in distance I shouldn't have such a hard time. (I hope, I hope)

I am very happy that I finally have the City's skyline on the blog. I fought with the damn template for 2 weeks on and off. GO ME!! Now I really like my blog. A few more color changes and I'll love it for sure.

Run Run Run!!

Another change in plans.

Well faithful readers another week has passed with another batch of missed runs. I have to figure out how to not miss them. Mostly I have to not try to run after a long day of two jobs. So I am shifting the whole week to run more over the weekends and also I have to up the mileage a little each day to catch up but I think I'll be ok and then I will be able to maintain on the original plan till the race on Feb.25th.

So yesterday afternoon I ran 1.5 miles. I was supposed to be at 1.75 miles this week. SO..The new plan is to make the three running days Friday, Sunday and Tuesday. Then Monday, Wednesday and Thursday when I teach it will not interfere. Now the plan to catch up is to run 1.75 tomorrow (Sunday) and 2.0 miles on Tuesday!! That should catch me up!! YEA!! I think this is going to be a good plan.

Also today I found a paved trail at a park close to my home with every 10th mile marked and fitness stations along the way. Maybe after the race or on Saturdays I will start to workout with the stations too. I'm going to do my run there tomorrow and I'm very excited!!

Keep running!!

Friday's run

Well I wasn't as diligent this time at writing right after my run so I don't have temp and atmospheric info. The run was a little over 1.25 miles, but not quite the 1.5 it was supposed to be. Although it was cloudy and cool, it was mostly a nice day. I ran the trail near the University and it is a little short of the goal distance, but I had run out of time to figure out the extra distance. I figured any run was better than none. I will be ready for this weeks runs because Monday I am off so I will have all the time I need to run as far as I want. Also, as I mentioned in the last post, I now have a late night backup so I can plan ahead and have clothes and shoes with me. The ~1.25 mile time was 17:54.

My Waiting Audience

I feel like I have let everyone down by not posting this week. And by everyone I mean all of my faithful readers who must be too interested in my stories about the weather to comment. Mostly I guess no one has started reading about me but that is ok because I haven't had much of note yet except for me.

The truth is that I have not run this week so there has not been a run to report on. This is not a good thing either. Life got in the way a bit, and with it getting dark so early makeup time is at a premium. Yesterday I did a search for a gym location that is open late. (I have a membership from my job) So tonight I will do the Wednesday 1mile run and tomorrow continue on schedule. From here on out I should not have to worry about how late it is because I can run at night at the gym.

I NEED A TREADMILL AT HOME!! I don't want to buy one till I'm further along in my running endeavors. It should be appearing my list of needs very soon.

I will post how the gym run goes tonight when I am done. Till then sorry to have kept you waiting.

Plan for week 2

I figured Sunday each week is a good day preparation for my weeks running workouts. I use Sunday to check my personal schedule for the week this is perfect for my running schedule as well.

A little information about the run I am preparing for....as mentioned in my profile I live in a city that is invaded by pirates each year. This year there the festivities include a 5k run, a 10k run, and 1/2 and full marathons. I will be taking it slow and running the 5k run. Since before my Christmas break from running I was up to being able to run a mile this is the next logical distance. The run is February 25th. So I have plenty of time. The idea is to increase the longer distances by a .25 mile each week to build up. The easier 1 mile Wednesdays will turn into 1.5 mile Wednesdays and then 2 mile Wednesdays as the others get longer.

So week 2 preparations for my 5k run are a follows:

Sunday: Rest - Walk/Jog day -- I had other physical activities planned so this will be "rest" as far as running is concerned.

Monday: 1.5 miles - another up in the distance. Wish me luck

Tuesday: Rest - Walk/Jog day -- I hope to do a nice long walk/jog for endurance. At least an hour if not 1.5 hours.

Wednesday: 1 mile - Ahhhh....I remember when the mile was the hard day. :)

Thursday: Rest - That's fine by me!!

Friday: 1.5 Miles - I hope that like the second 1.25 mile run last Friday this is better than the Monday version.

Saturday: 60 min walk. I have to start doing these. I seem to skip them for taxing house work but I should really do both.

Well there you have it. The week of January 8th - 14th.

Run like a pirate!!

Brrrrr.....

Distance: 1.25 mile   Time: 16:49:07  Bright and Sunny 7:45 am
Temperature: 53 °F    Humidity: 59%   Pressure: 29.96 inches

Ok...Note to self 53 °F is a little cold for short sleeves. I don't think I would have been uncomfortable with a light sweat shirt or workout jacket. Even better my long sleeve workout shirt!! It's likely to be cool like this again so I will keep that in mind.

Again my 1.25 mile time went down!! Yea!! I felt better today too. My right foot cramped a little but it was better than Wednesday. It wasn't easy still but I was able to give a good little push at the end so I must have had something left.

This completes 1 week of work since I started this page. I don't know if this is helping but I'm enjoying playing with the html code when I'm not posting. Tomorrow 60 min walk and a rest day Sunday should be a perfect plan.

Two more lbs gone!!

Distance: 1 mile      Time: 13:24:63  Partly Cloudy 6:30 pm
Temperature: 61°F     Humidity: 63%   Pressure: 30.06 inches

The last two days in a row that the scale said 193 lbs. I figure if it is on the scale two days in a row then I can count it. So two more pounds gone!! Yea for me!!

Also tonight my time got faster!! Yea!! I was a little worried that I started too fast but it felt so good I just kept going. It's not faster than the first mile but it's better than the second run.

It was a little cooler but it didn't take long for me to work up my sweat!! So I'm good.

I was glad I could run. I have a friend who is in the hospital right now after some rejection problems from a bone marrow stem cell transplant and he is doing better today but he is in rough shape. Some friends went to see him today and I talked to his family. He is getting weaker all the time. I'm glad I could run. He couldn't run right now if he wanted to. It will be a long time before he can play football with us again.

I was also a little wound up from the friends going to the hospital and some other minor over all but personal stresses. It was a nice relaxing run.

Days like these

Distance: 1.25 miles  Time: 17:59:82  Sunny, Bright and Clear
Temperature: 73°F     Humidity: 79%   Pressure: 30.11 inches 

Days like these I love that I live in Florida!!
I live where other people vacation!!

My run went well. I did the entire way. I was slow and my feet were a bit crampy. Probably because my calves are sore....That's where the leap second leaping got back at me!! Oh well. I did it is the important thing. My mile time was 14 min and change so much slower than last time. The last 1/4 mile was one of the best. I guess by pushing for one 1/4 mile more, I sped up.

The rest of the weeks plan looks like this:
Tomorrow is a rest/jog-walk day, then a 1 mile distance scheduled forWednesday, Thursday is REST, 1.25 miles on Friday and a 60 min walk Saturday.

Well I'm off. After holidays housework beckons.

Happy New Year!!

My 60 min walk yesterday went well. While I was a little sore when I first rolled out of bed it wasn't bad and I was able to run around all day no problem.

The New Years celebration was fantastic, and there was a new guy to get to know. It went a little slow but he was ok over all. I also talked everyone into leaping the leap second at midnight. It was soooooo much fun.

Today I was still a little sore but if the second day is worse and all the leaping for the leap second last night did not seem to make it much to discuss. Today was rest/jog-walk. I chose rest rather than to schedule something, but really I did very vigorous house work and packing of Christmas decorations, disposal of tree, removal of house lights and packing of everything ....tomorrow the floors will be mopped....from one end of the house to the other. I love it when the house gets clean.

Tomorrow's scheduled run is 1.25 miles. I measured out the route today so I will be ready. I hope to go mid morning before the house work begins. I will make this distance. I know from the 1 mile day it will be the end of my limit but I had enough left that I could have pushed so I can do it.

If you are a runner....Think of me as you most likely run much farther.
If you are not....Think of me as you sit on your couch and know I miss it, but I love this too.